Yes, a standalone villa within a hotel is appealing, but why not go one better and take over an entire property? The Goldilocks size for any new five-star pile is just large enough so that your entire party can commandeer it as their own. Alex Wix of Wix Squared has seen a 40 percent increase in friends traveling in large groups, perhaps four couples vacationing together. “They want a shared space to hang out whilst also having their privacy,” she says.
Hoteliers are responding to that shift by creating new properties where rooms and suites can be sold piecemeal but which are best enjoyed like the perfect hors d’oeuvre : in a single bite. Whether a cluster of islands in the Maldives or a contemporary chic safari lodge in South Africa , these are all built to buy out. Need to Know: This resort is a homecoming for Soneva , which launched here three decades ago.
The new 14-villa concept on the country’s farthest-flung atoll, Haa Dhaalu, is 75 minutes by seaplane from the capital, Malé. Each villa has its own team of three, including a chef, and many are appointed with brand signatures: slides that take you directly into the ocean, retractable roofs for star-gazing, and slick wooden interiors. Opt for the Magical Mystery Tour–like Secret Days, for which staff will design a surprise-filled itinerary.
Ideal For : Old friends who’d rather crash at sunset than party till dawn. Happy Occassion : A restorative class reunion—with people you actually want to see. From $15.
